Published: July 22, 2008 11:34 am            

Chamber, visitors’ bureau report to City Council

Stillwater’s growth is expected to continue, two entities reported to the Stillwater City Council on Monday.

Josh McKim, director of economic development for the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, gave a presentation on the growth of Stillwater and the impact it is having on the city. A comparison of May 2007 numbers and May 2008 numbers shows an annual growth of 4,570 employed with a labor force growth of 4,370 people (14.27 percent job growth and 11.57 percent labor force growth). Some of these numbers can be attributed to the city’s appeal of the U.S. Census count which, at one point, “added” nearly 5,000 people to Stillwater’s population overnight.

Unemployment continues to hover around 2.8 to 3.1 percent, which breaks down to approximately 900 to 1,200 local people being unemployed at any given time.

Cristy Morrison, executive director of the Stillwater Convention and Visitors Bureau gave a run-down on her department. She focused on the growth that the economic sector is experiencing, which includes the recent openings of Chipotle, Exchange Bank and the Cimarron Hotel. Construction continues on the Microtel Inn and Suites, with completion set to be complete in August or September in the 76-room inn. Opening soon are Arvest Bank, Holiday Inn (117 rooms) and LaQuinta Inn and Suites (77 rooms). It was also noted that the Best Western Hotel has become Stillwater Plaza.

The Stillwater Chamber of Commerce will hold a meeting on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the growth of Stillwater and what must be done as a city to keep up.

In other business, the following items on the consent docket were approved: Design contract for Adams Street Community Development Block Grant sewer project; Lambert Construction Co., as a street works contractor; 2008-9 city manager employment agreement; 2008-9 Economic Development Agreement between the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce and the city; development agreement between the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges and the city of Stillwater; inter-local agreement between the district attorney, District 9, state of Oklahoma and the city of Stillwater for the use of seized vehicle; release of mortgages for the following Homebuyer Assistance Program recipients: Darrell Romine, 1611 S. Springfield, Lloyd and Darla Newland, 3707 N. Washington and Jonathan and Shelby Rogers, 1410 N. Arrington; accept the following Jardot Road reconstruction project easements: Kenneth and Donna Campbell, 418 S. Jardot, roadway easement; Martha O’Neill Trust, 302 S. Jardot, roadway easement; Edward and Velma Boyd, 2023 Eastern Avenue, roadway easement and Kenneth and Donna Campbell, 418 S. Jardot, drainage easement and authorize preparation of construction documents and receipt of bids for the reconstruction of Sunrise Street (Skyline to Jardot Road as a FY 2009 miscellaneous street project.

Also on the consent docket but removed by Tom Williams for further discussion was the acceptance of the following 12th Avenue project easements; Dale and Angela Nault, parcel 207.1, 1127 S. McDonald St., temporary construction easement and parcel 207.2, 1127 S. McDonald, also a temporary construction easement. This item was later approved by the council.

Paula Dennison, community development director, spoke during the public hearing on an ordinance amending the Stillwater Land Development Code as recommended and passed by the Stillwater Planning Commission in addressing specifications for new telecommunication towers.

Three ordinances were read in their entirety and approved by the council. Dan Galloway, city manager, said the damage to Sunrise would be repaired and rebuilt. Heavy truck traffic, associated with the construction work at the junior high, has rapidly accelerated the deterioration of Sunrise between Skyline and Jardot.

A formal ribbon cutting will be held Aug. 1 for the completion of the roadwork on Hall of Fame Avenue.

In lieu of a council meeting next Monday, a study session will be held at 5:30 to discuss current topics in more detail. The next council meeting will be held Aug. 4.쇓

        

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